Hadith Explanation

Angry for My Sake

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah revealed to Yusha bin Nun: ‘I will destroy 40,000 of the best of your people and 60,000 of their worst.’ He asked: ‘My Lord, I can understand the worst of them being destroyed. Why destroy the best of them?’ He said: ‘They didn't become angry for My Anger, and they would give the worst ones food and drink.’ [Ibn Abi ad-Dunya]

In Abu Laith’s narration Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) said, “The pious ones did not forbid the evil and did not even consider the sins as an evil. In fact they continued to eat, drink & mix with the sinners.”

If we love someone very dearly but then find out that in a gathering where we were being ridiculed our beloved sat comfortably, not getting even a bit upset that we were being made a laughing stock of, then how would we feel? This is what we do with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) when His commands are violated, His religion is ridiculed, His friends are persecuted, and we act as though nothing untoward has happened.

It is thus only natural, that when Allah’s punishment comes on the sinners then those who were pleased with the sinners and busy pleasing them, will also be counted among them. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) warns in the Quran: “And beware of a trial that won't only afflict the wrongdoers among you.” [Surah Al-Anfal: 25]

Ibn Abd al-Barr and others reported that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) commanded one of the angels to destroy a town. The angel asked: “My Lord, it has such and such a person who is a zahid who worships You constantly!” Allah said: “Begin with him, and let me hear his voice. His face never once became red for My sake.” In other words, Allah’s Limits (subhana wa ta’ala) being violated never once angered him.

So imagine that someone fasts all day, prays all night, abstains from all worldly pleasures, and despite this never becomes upset for Allah's sake and doesn't enjoin good and prevent evil - such a man is the most hated of people to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and the least of them in religiousness!